Trazodone therapy of the post-stroke depression.
Authors: Raffaele R, Rampello L, Vecchio I, Tornali C, et al.
Year: 1996
Source: Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 5(23/Suppl.):217-220.
Abstract: The prevalence of depression after a hemispheric stroke ranges from 25 to 60%. In this study subjects in the subacute post-stroke phase with and without depression were examined. They fulfilled any one of the criteria:(i) Clinical diagnosis of depression. (ii) Abnormal Zung-depression score. (iii) Abnormal dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Patients in the stroke rehabilitation program (22) were randomly assigned to receive placebo or 300mg/day trazodone-HCl, from 30 days after the stroke. Results indicated that patients with either a clinical diagnosis of depression or abnormal Zung depression scores and on antidepressant therapy had a consistent trend towards greater improvement in Barthel activities of daily living (ADL) scores in contrast to those who received placebo. Additionally, significant improvement was noted in the ADL scores of subjects with abnormal DST scores and receiving trazodone. Thus, treatment of post-stroke depression is valuable. (CIRRIE Abstract) In Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Interventions for preventing depression after stroke.)
Institution: Institute of Neurological Sciences, University of Catania, Policlinico, Viale A. Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy
Language: English
Subject headings: Abstracts, Daily living, Depression, Drugs, HIV, Medical research, Older adults, Stroke, Therapy